Ferguson, Lederer Return to 2017 WSOP

Last year, Chris Ferguson and Howard Lederer played their first WSOP action since the Full Tilt Poker scandal broke in 2011. Now, the former Full Tilt board members are making a return trip to the 2017 WSOP.

No public apologies were issued this time around, like the duo offered in 2016. After all, the poker world made it clear that they have no remorse for Ferguson and Lederer.

Both players were part of the decision-making process that led Full Tilt to fail to ring-fence player deposits. That said, it’s little surprise that nobody in the poker world was thrilled with their apologies.

Nevertheless, it appears that the heat wasn’t so bad last year because both “The Professor” and “Jesus” are back at the WSOP.

They made their entrance in the 2017 WSOP Event #10: $1,000 Tag Team NL Hold’em event. Teaming up with former Team Full Tilt member Andy Bloch, they were easily the most-unpopular team in the field.

Poker pro Valentin Vornicu voiced his displeasure with the Ferguson/Lederer/Bloch team by tweeting: “Chris Jesus Ferguson at my table. Currently Andy Bloch playing for his team – gonna secure a quick bust for all poker players @WSOP #tagteam.”

Vornicu and others were happy when the Full Tilt squad was busted well short of the final table. They went all-in with A-Q versus A-K from John Hulett and Deepinder Singh, with the latter winning the hand.

The team picked up $898 for their 81st-place finish, which is probably more than some players felt they deserved. Ferguson followed this up with a 44th-place effort in the Event #11: $1,500 Dealer Choice – 6-handed event, which earned him $2,335.

Based on the way Jesus is playing now, and the way he played in 2016 (10 total WSOP cashes), Ferguson will likely be seen plenty more over the coming weeks.